Virgin Media has relaunched its Virgin TV offer, upgrading its UI and launching an online store and even its own TV tablet.
Virgin is maintaining its relationship with TiVo and offering the new user interface to existing customers. The new V6 box, built on the platform being rolled out across Liberty Global, is described as the fastest yet.
It has the ability to record six programmes, while watching a seventh recording, or streaming on other TiVo boxes around the home.
Virgin TV’s chief digital entertainment officer, David Bouchier, said the new Virgin TV line-up raised the bar, marrying the latest and smartest technology, with the very best TV programmes.
V6 will be available on Virgin’s mix bundle or higher and attracts no additional cost. It will be available before the end of the year with new customers able to command one early in 2017.
The standard price is a single £99.95 upfront cost.
While the idea of a TV-based store that delivers a TV through the post isn’t new – Sky already offers such a service – the eyecatcher was the TellyTablet. The 14 inch device that runs on Android OS (Marshmallow) and is designed to provide the same experience close up as enjoyed on a larger 50 inch TV.
Bouchier said that with so much TV available there was an inevitable compromise. “The full HD immersive experience has been taken to the device and built for its own apps.”
The device has been designed to use with Virgin Media’s Hub 3.0 and has full access to the Google Play Store and with it apps from Virgin and Sky.
It can be bundled with a mobile package or bought upfront £299.
Kids also get their own app that will be available for iOS, Android and Kindle Fire. It incorporates ad free TV, games and books for younger viewers.
